Administrative Team

Dr. Quint C. Thurman,
President

Dr. Quint Thurman recently joined the University of the Southwest as President. Prior to his appointment at USW, he served in various administrative leadership roles at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas including interim President, Provost, and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. Before relocating to West Texas, Dr. Thurman held a position as Professor of Criminal Justice and Department Chair at Texas State University. In an academic career that spans 30 years he has written 7 books pertaining to criminal justice and law enforcement and taught more than 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

At Texas State University Thurman founded the doctoral program in Criminal Justice, established the University’s first ever endowed research chairperson, and also created the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center in San Marcos, otherwise known as ALERRT. Dr. Thurman’s academic career also includes faculty appointments at Washington State University and Wichita State University. Dr. Thurman holds bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sociology from the University of Oklahoma and earned his Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

Dr. Thurman and his wife Caryn have been married for 31 years and their three grown children – Sarah, Nathan, and Nick – reside in central Texas. Caryn is an ordained Presbyterian Minister and serves as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Hobbs.

Dr. Larry Guerrero,
Executive Vice President

Dr. Larry M. Guerrero has been Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Sul Ross State University, since fall 2012. Guerrero, who has served as Associate Dean of Arts and Science at Odessa College was also an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at Sul Ross.

A native of San Angelo, he previously was an Assistant Professor, Department of Health Promotion and Human Performance, at Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, after spending six years at Oklahoma City University. While there, Guerrero was an Associate Professor and Department Chair of Education / Kinesiology.

From 1997-2005, Guerrero was an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at Angelo State University. He also was a Graduate Associate at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma and a faculty lecturer at Cochise College, Douglas, Ariz.

He received a B.S. (1991) in Health and Kinesiology an M.Ed. (1994) in Secondary Education from Oklahoma City University and Ed.D. (1997) in Applied Behavioral Studies from Oklahoma State University. Guerrero has also worked as an assistant baseball coach at Oklahoma City University (1991-1993) and Cochise College (1993-94) and as Head Coach of the Harrisonburg (Va.) Turks baseball team in 1993.

Steven Rachel,
Vice President for Financial Services/CFO

I started my career working for Texaco in various capacities. I spent 25 years in the oil and gas industry with 15 years as Secretary/Treasurer of D.C. Well Service. I moved from oil and gas to the food processing business at 2 facilities prior to my last job with Urenco USA as the cash planner for a multi-national uranium enrichment company.

I was born and raised in Hobbs, NM. I graduated from Hobbs High School, received an Associate of Arts degree from New Mexico Junior College, and completed a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Accounting from the University of North Texas.

My wife Cathy and I have 3 grown children, 9 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. I have been active in sports and have coached multiple sports teams.

Dawny KringelVice President of Student FinanceDawny Kringel has been employed in higher education for 8 years. She began her career at University of the Southwest in the Business Office as an Accounting Assistant and was promoted to Assistant Controller. She then accepted the position of Director of Financial Aid and now currently serves as the Vice President of Student Finance at University of the Southwest.

Dawny received her Associate’s Degree in Arts from New Mexico Junior College, her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management from Lubbock Christian University, and her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from University of the Southwest. She holds active memberships in the New Mexico Association of Financial Aid Administrators, the Southwest Association of Financial Aid Administrators, and the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Dawny was born and raised in Hobbs, NM and graduated from Hobbs High School. For 28 years, she served as a volunteer Youth and Children’s Leader with the Assemblies of God and has traveled on short-term mission trips with U.S. and Foreign Missionaries. She currently attends Christian Center Church in Hobbs.

Dawny and her husband, Jayson, have been married for 18 years and have two children.

Dr. David Arnold,
Campus Steward and Associate Professor of Business

David Arnold has served University of the Southwest in several capacities over the last 16 years. He has served as director of financial aid, director of marketing, dean of the School of Business, senior administrator, and faculty member.

He currently serves the institution as Campus Steward and has oversight of: capital projects, maintenance of facilities, landscaping and housekeeping. He also serves as an associate professor of business and teaches accounting, management, finance and marketing courses.

Arnold holds a bachelor's degree in management and finance from Baylor University, a bachelor's degree in accounting from University of the Southwest, and a master's in business administration from University of Texas, Permian Basin. He received his Ph.D. in management from Colorado Technical University.

Arnold attended New Mexico Junior College before transferring to Baylor University and studying Management and Finance while attaining his bachelor's degree. He completed his master's in business administration at University of Texas of the Permian Basin. During his service to USW, he also completed a second bachelor's degree in accounting and is currently pursuing a doctorate in management from Colorado Technical University.

Before joining USW, Arnold worked for a family owned oil-field construction business in Odessa, Texas.

His volunteer service has included the Board of Boys and Girls Club of Hobbs, United Way of Hobbs, and he holds active memberships in New Mexico Association of Financial Aid Administrators, Southwest Association of Financial Aid Administrators, National Association of Student Affairs Administrators, and the Academy of Management. He and his wife, Melody, are members of First United Methodist Church and have three adult children. In his spare time, Arnold enjoys fishing, golfing, and traveling